Painter&#39;s utility implement



Se t. 27, 1966 R. L. LAMOUREAUX 3,

PAINTER'S UTILITY IMPLEMENT Filed Sept. 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 34 Raymond L. Lamaareaux INVENOR.

Sept. 27, 1966 R. L. LAMOUREAUX PAINTER'S UTILITY IMPLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1964 Raymond 1.. L amoure aux INVENOR.

United States Patent O 3,275,137 PAINIERS UTILIIY IMPLEMENI Raymond L. Lamoureaux, R.]). 3, Cortland, N.Y. Filed Sept. 25, 1964, Ser. No. 399,288 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-90) The instant invention generally relates to a tool which is particularly adapted to perform a variety of tasks normally encountered during painting operations.

It is a particularly significant object of the instant invention to provide an implement which is uniquely adapted to be mounted directly upon an open paint can in a manner so as to provide a convenient and stable support for the paint brush with the bristle end thereof located directly over the open end of the can.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also an object of the instant invention to provide a paint brush holder wherein any excess paint remaining on the brush will drain directly into the paint can itself.

Likewise, it is a significant object of the instant invention to provide a paint brush holder which includes a straight Wiping edge directly over the open end of the can whereby the excess paint can be easily Wiped from the brush prior to the applying of the paint to the object being painted.

Another highly significant object of the instant invention is to provide an implement which, in addition to being usable itself as a scraping device, is particularly adapted to have attachment blades mounted thereon for performing various tasks.

Basically, the device of the instant invention consists of an integral tool includimg an elongated handle with a transversely enlarged head at one end thereof, the head having a straight raised outer edge so as to both support paint brush bristles and act as a straight enlarged Wiping edge therefor. It is this straight edge, provided on an upturned flange, which, in addition to acting as a scraping edge, also mounts various adapter blades. Both the elongated body, which acts as a convenient handle during any scraping operatiom, and the transversely enlarged head, are provided with upstanding side walls which, in addition to retaiming the paint brush, also provides a channel down which any excess paint will flow into the paint can itself.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the implement of the instant invention mounted upon a paint can so as to form a support for a paint brush;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along lime 22 of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view through the implement of the instant invention taken generally on a plane passing along lime 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the implement in an inverted position with one of the adapter blades exploded therefrom;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view through the scraping flange of the implement having one form of adapter blade mounted thereon;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 having a second form et adapter blade mounted thereon;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 having a third form of adapter blade mounted thereon;

FIGURE 8 is a partial elevational view taken substantially on a plane passing alomg lime 88 in FIG- URE 6;

3,275,187 Patented Sept. 27, 1966 FIGURE 9 is a partial elevational view taken substantially on a plane passing along lime 99 in FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of implement.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 is used to generally designate the implement comprisimg the instant invention. This implement 20, primarily used as a means for mounting a paint brush directly on a paint can 22 in a manner so as to insure a fiow of any excess paint back into the can itself from the brush, is to be formed preferably of a single piece of relatively heavy gauge metal.

Specifically, the implement or tool 20 includes an elongated fiat body 24 terminating in a transversely enlarged head 26 at one end thereof. This enlarged head 26 includes side edges dive-rging outwardly and forwardly from the edges of the body 24 at approximately 45 degree angles. The forward edge of the enlarged head 26 is provided with an upturned flange 28 along the full length thereof, this flange 28 having a straight upper edge 30 which, as will be appreciated from FIGURES 1 and 2, supports the bristle end of a paint brush 32 in a slightly elevated position so as to project outwardly therefrom over the center of the can 22. In addition, it will be appreciated that this straight upper edge 30 provides a wide straight wiping edge for the brush, thereby providing for an even removal of excess paint from the brush, as Well as an even distribution of the paint on the brush prior to the application of this paint to a surface being painted. The undesirable heavy accumulation of the paint solel at the center of the brush, normally associated with wiping the brush on the curved rim of the eau 22, is avoided.

In addition, both the body 24 and the head 26 are provided, along their side edges, with vertical side walls 34 which, in addition to helping retain the brush 32 on the implernent 20, also form a channel which acts to guide any paint dripping from the brush 32 back into the can 22, the enlarged head 26 being provided with a transverse row of apertures 36 therethrough directly behind the upstanding flange 28.

Each of the side walls 34 is provided, adjacent the cfree end or rear end of the elongated body 24 with vertically projecting extensions 38 which receive the handle of a paint brush 32 therebetween so as to present a positive retention of the brush.

The device 20, as will be appreciated from FIGURES 1 and 2, is to be mounted directly upon the rim of an open paint can 22, and as such, the body 24, adjacent the head 26, is provided with a pair of downwardly struck mounting ears 40. These mounting ears 40, slightly resilient in nature so as to snap into position on the rim, first converge downwardly toward each other, and then terminate in outwardly directed diverging ends which facilitate the snapping of the implement 20 in position on the inner and outer beads 42 and 44 of the walls which define the rim groove 46.

Incidentally, with reference to FIGURE 2, inasmuch as the inner wall of the rim groove 46 is in most, if not all, cases lower than in the outer wall, the device 20, upon being mounted, will automacally assume an inclination downwardly into the interior of the can 22, this being highly desirable so as to obtain the desired drainage of any dripping paint. It is contemplated that the device be mounted by first engaging the inner mounting ear 40 below the inner wall head 42 and then snapping the outer ear 40 down over the head 44. Further, the ears 40, or at least the rearmost ear 40, are to be, in addition to resilient, slightly flexible so as to allow for minor adjustments for accommodating various width rim grooves such as might -be encountered. Finally, if s0 desired, one or more holes 48 can be provided through the device 24 for hanging the device when not in use.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES 4-9, it will be noted that another highly significant use of the device 20 has been illustrated. In particular, by inverting the device 20 as shown in FIGURE 4, the straight flange edge 30 can be conveniently used as a scraping edge, with the elongated body 24 forming a handle, the side wall extensions 38 providing a convenient back stop for enabling a positive grip on the device 20 when used in this manner. When used in this manner, it will be appreciated that the apertures or holes 36 provide a convenient passage for the scraped material to be discharged, thereby preventing any accumulation or build-up such as might tend to inhibit the operation of the device 20. Incidently, in order to provide an effective scraping edge, the tool is to pref erably be case hardened, this also enabling use of the extensions 38 as a means for prying off the paint can lids.

While, as described supra, the edge 30 can itself be used as a scraper edge, the instant invention also contemplates the provision of adapter or attachment blades, three such blades being illustrated. The three blades illustrated consist of a toothed blade 50 of rigid high impact plastic, particularly adapted for scaling operations, a scraper blade 52 having a rectangular elongated edge and also being formed of high impact rigid plastic, and a resilient rubber wiper blade 54 having a relatively narrow wiping edge. It will of course be appreciated that these blades can be made of other materials, as long as the desired properties are retained. Each of the blades 50, 52 and 54, noting FIGURES -7, is provided With an elongated recess 56 in the upper edge opposite from the working edge, these recesses 56, including fiared mouths, being of a size so as to frictionally receive the flange 28 of the implement 20 therein in a manner so as to allow a use of the device without danger of the adapter or attachment blade becoming dislocated.

FIGURE illustrates a modified form 58 of the device 20, the device 58 being generally smaller in size and generally adapted for use in conjunction With smaller paint cans. However, as was the case With the device or implement 20, the implement 58 also includes all of those features detailed supra, thereby adapting the implement 58 for use in the same manner as implement 20.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly nove] painters utility tool has been defined, this tool, in addition to functioning as a holder for paint brushes, also providing a convenient device for preparing surfaces to be painted. When being utilized as a holder, the device positions the bristles of the brush directly over the center of the open paint can, With the entire brush being downwardly inclined toward the center of the can so as to allow any drippage t0 conveniently return to the can itself, the holder being provided with a channelshaped body leading to a plurality of drainage holes. In addition, the holder includes vertical walls, and extensions thereon, for receiVing the handle of the paint brush therebetween t0 properly orientate and retain the paint brush. The holder is releasably snapped into position on the rim of an open paint can through depending resilient mounting ears which are themselves adjustable for accommodating various size cans. In addition, it was pointed out that the implement of the instant invention is also uniquely adapted for use as a scraping or Wiping tool, the straight edge, which acts so as to provide for an even distribution of the paint over the brush, also providing a scraping edge, either in itself or in conjunction with any one of a number of difierent adapter blades which can be frictionally engaged therewith.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted t0, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as foll0ws:

1. A painters utility implement comprising an clonv gated body, a transversely enlarged head forming a continuation of the body at one end thereof, said head having an upturned flange transversely across the outer end thereof, said flange being planar throughout the height thereof and terminating in an upwardly directed straight upper edge extending along the full length thereof, a pair of spaced side walls projecting upwardly from the longitudinal sides of the body, said walls extending along a major portion of the length of said body, said walls diverging outwardly and continuing along the opposite sides of the head, at least one hole through said head between the flange and the elongated body, a pair of side wall extensions adjacent the free end of the elongated body, each of said extensions being generally coplanar with one of said side walls and projecting upwardly at approximately a right angle therefrom, mounting means depending from said body for releasable engagement with a paint can rim, and an elongated surface working attachment, said attachment having, along one edge thereof, an elongated slot of a length, width and depth so as to frictionally and releasably receive substantially the entire flange, the edge of said attachment opposite from said one edge being positioned outwardly from the flange edge generally in the plane of the flange edge and being in the form of a surface working edge.

2. A painters utility implement comprising an clongated body, a transversely enlarged head forming a continuation of the body at one end thereof, said head having an upturned flange transversely across the outer end thereof, said flange being planar throughout the height thereof and terminating in an upwardly directed straight upper edge extending along the full length thereof, mounting means depending from said body for releasable engagement with a paint can rim in a manner so as to orientate the implement transversely across the rim, and a removable elongated surface working attachment mounted on said flange, said attachment having, along one edge thereof, an elongated slot of a length, Width and depth so as to frictionally and releasably receive substantially the entire flange, the edge of said attachment opposite from said one edge being positioned outwardly from the flange edge generally in the plane of the flange and being in the form of a surface work1ng edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,864 5/ 1949 Craft et al. 220 2,535,260 12/1950 Braswell 22090 2,567,326 9/ 1951 Entsminger 220-90 2,625,299 1/ 1953 Uhlig 22090 2,674,391 4/ 1954 Davis 22090 2,803,374 8/1957 Cash 22090 FOREIGN PATENTS 172,450 1/ 1935 Switzerland.

Refereus Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,877 9/ 1951 Dunton.

THERON E. CONDON, Prmary Examiner.

RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Examiner. 

1. A PAINTER''S UTILITY IMPLEMENT COMPRISING AN ELONGATE BODY, A TRANSVERSELY ENLARGED HED FORMING A CONTINUATION OF THE BODY AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID HEAD HAVING AN UPTURNED FLANGE TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE OUTER END THEREOF, SAID FLANGE BEING PLANAR THROUGHOUT THE HEIGHT THEREOF AND TERMINATING IN AN UPWARDLY DIRECTED STRAIGHT UPPER EDGE EXTENDING ALONG THE FULL LENGTH THEREOF, A PAIR OF SPACED SIDE WALLS PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE LONGITUDINAL SIDES OF THE BODY, SAID WALLS EXTENDING ALONG A MAJOR PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF SAID BODY, SAID WALLS DIVERGING OUTWARDLY AND CONTINUING ALONG THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE HEAD, AT LEAST ONE HOLE THROUGH SAID HEAD BETWEEN THE FLANGE AND THE ELONGATED BODY, A PAIR OF SIDE WALL EXTENSIONS ADJACENT THE FREE END OF THE ELONGATED BODY, EACH OF SAID EXTENSIONS BEING GENERALLY COPLANAR WITH ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY AT APPROXIMATELY A RIGHT ANGLE THEREFROM, MOUNTING MEANS DEPENDING FROM SAID BODY FOR RELEASABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH A PAINT CAN RIM, AND AN ELONGATED SURFACE WORKING ATTACHMENT, SAID ATTACHMENT HAVING, ALONG ONE EDGE THEREOF, AN ELONGATED SLOT OF A LENGTH, WIDTH AND DEPTH SO AS TO FRICTIONALLY AND RELEASABLY RECEIVE SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE FLANGE, THE EDGE OF SAID ATTACHMENT OPPOSITE FORM SAID ONE EDGE BEING POSITIONED OUTWARDLY FROM THE FLANGE EDGE GENERALLY IN THE PLANE OF THE FLANGE EDGE AND BEING IN THE FORM OF A SURFACE WORKING EDGE. 